Tips (and tricks!) for staying safe on Halloween

Halloween is the spookiest night of the year, filled with ghosts, ghouls and goodies galore. But while the fun is second to none, it's important to remember that safety should always come first. And at Rogue Disposal & Recycling, safety is always our number one priority. With that in mind, we’ve created a list to help your trick-or-treaters — young or young at heart — enjoy a safe and happy Halloween. So grab your flashlight, tighten your mask and let's dive into some frightfully fun safety tips!

Brushing up on your street smarts

When you’re trick-or-treating in your neighborhood, here are some safety tips to keep in mind.

Always accompany younger children. Since trick-or-treating typically takes place at dusk or once it’s dark, walking with your children close by is a must. From the curb or sidewalk to the door, they can follow the path on their own. But anywhere in or near the street requires a grown-up holding their hand or walking next to them.

Stick to the sidewalks. If you trick-or-treat in a neighborhood that has them, make sure to walk on the sidewalk. If there’s no sidewalk, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. And try and stay on streets that are well lit, with lots of welcoming porch lights.

Cross at the crosswalk. Crossing the street in the middle of a block is where 62% of all child pedestrian traffic fatalities occur. So if you’re in an area with crosswalks, use them — and cross with a large group whenever possible. Make sure kids know not to dart out from behind parked cars or out of driveways.

Make sure you’re seen. Have your kids wear light colored-colored costumes or use reflective tape to make their costumes stand out to oncoming headlights. Never assume that a car will stop for you — even if you have the right of way. If a driver is distracted or has trouble seeing costumed trick-or-treaters in a poorly lit area, it’s better to wait for the car to pass before stepping into the roadway. Flashlights, lanterns, glow sticks and other lights help call attention to you in the dark.

Tweens and teens need rules too. If your older kids are trick-or-treating alone, make sure they share their route in advance and get your OK. Set a time limit for their return. And talk to them about staying alert — even with all the fun going on. That means no listening to music with headphones, as well as talking, texting or looking at their cell phones.

Looking out for stranger danger

Halloween may be all about spooky fun, but it’s also a time to follow safety rules.

Travel in groups. When older children go out trick-or-treating, have them travel in packs — the more the merrier. Create a buddy system so no one gets left behind and everyone gets home safely.

Front porch, yes. Inside, no. Remind kids that the action on Halloween takes place at the front door… and that’s as far as they should go. Only go to houses with their porch lights on. And never go inside the house — especially if it’s someone they don’t know. The same goes for cars… getting into someone’s car is a hard no.

Be prepared. While it sounds simple enough, reiterate with your kids that if something doesn’t feel right, they should walk away. And if a true emergency does arise — a suspicious person following a group of teenagers trick-or-treating, for example — call 911.

Keeping costumes safe

What would Halloween be without all the crazy costumes. A few simple tips can help make dressing up safe.

Go bright and reflective. Bright colors are not only fun, they’re easier to see. But since Halloween has a dark side, it’s important to make that work for safety too. Let’s say your trick-or-treater is dressing as a witch, vampire or skeleton. Use a brightly colored treat bag or add reflective tape to the costume for greater visibility.

Eliminate tripping hazards. When your kids are dashing from house to house down unfamiliar driveways in the dark, falling becomes a real issue. For starters, make sure their shoes fit properly. Think twice about swords, canes and other accessories that could pose problems while moving from house to house. And do a dry run with the costume, putting it on before the big day to make sure it’s not dragging on the ground or easily snagged on anything.

Make unobstructed vision a priority. Instead of wearing a physical mask for costumes that require one, consider using makeup instead. Decorative hats can also be used as an alternative to masks. And if a wig is involved, make sure it hangs clear of the eyes. And “decorative” contacts are a definite safety (and health) risk, according to ophthalmologists. With everything going on during trick-or-treating, being able to see things from all angles is important.

Get your inner spooky on… safely!

Remember, Halloween is a time to get creative and have fun — but safety should always come first. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that you and your children have a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treating experience. Keep an eye on your kids, stay aware of your surroundings and make sure everyone has a blast! From everyone at Rogue Disposal & Recycling, have a safe and happy Halloween!